How Bahrám Chúbína put on the Woman's Dress and showed himself therein to the Chiefs of the Host

Whenas Bahrám Chúbína saw the present
Sent with the letter he endured in silence.
He thought: “This is my guerdon! So the Sháh
Is now my foe though he hath not devised
This wrong but mine ill-wishers slandered me.
The world-lord is the master of his slaves,
And if he putteth me to shame 'tis well.

I did not think that enemies of mine
Had access to the Sháh. Since I left court
In haste with but few troops all men have witnessed
My deeds, my sorrows and my toils and hardships.
If these toils are rewarded by a shame
That is the portion of the infamous
I will complain of circling heaven to God
For having docked me thus of all its love.”
He called upon the Judge that giveth good,
Then, having donned the red and yellow garb,
And set before him the black spindle-case,
And all the other things sent by the Sháh,
He summoned to him all the mighty men,
The nobles of the monarch of the world.
These came forth from the army to the chief,
Whose gloomy soul was full of anxious thoughts.
They came, both young and old, were all astound,
And mused, on seeing their paladin so clad.
He said: “A robe of honour from the Sháh!
Ye saw and heard of what I did and how
I combated with my two-headed dart.
The Sháh despaired about the royal throne;
The world was dark and I illumined it.
I have put on me this repugnant garb
According to the exalted king's command.
The Sháh is world-lord and we are his slaves,
Our hearts and souls are full of love for him.
What are your views, ye witnesses! herein?
What answer make we to the king of earth?”
All cried: “Famed paladin and worshipful!
If this be thy worth with the Sháh the troops
Are dogs at court! Note what the ancient sage
Observed at Rai when angry with Ardshír:—
‘I grow averse from archmage and Sháh's throne
When he regardeth not my weal and woe.’
How canst thou seek for honour from a man
That honoureth not thee?”

He said: “Forbear:

The Sháh is source of honour to his troops;
His slaves are we; he giveth, we receive.”
The Íránians said: “We will not arm hence­forth;
We will not have him in Írán as Sháh,
Or, as our general, Bahrám Chúbína.”
They spake and went forth from his presence, left
The palace of the chieftain* for the plain,
But he refrained his lips and at the most
Gave only prudent counsels to the host.